Ceramic Ball Bearings

Ceramic Ball Bearings

These bearings are made from ceramic instead of the traditional and most common material, steel. Ceramic bearings are usually silicon nitrate or silicon carbide and are black in color. These bearings, though not as strong as steel, are much lighter and therefore can spin faster while using less energy than conventional bearings. Ceramic ball bearings are available in every configuration and arrangement that steel bearings are, such as angular contact bearings, thrust bearings or roller bearings. Ceramic bearings are used for many products including valve pumps, casters, motorcycles and locking mechanisms. They are also used in high performance situations, such as racing cars and hard drives. Skateboards and inline skates often use ceramic ball bearings in the wheels because they produce a fast and smooth ride while requiring the skater to put in less effort.

There are three types of ceramic ball bearings. In full ceramic bearings, the complete bearing is made of ceramic: the inner ring, the outer ring and the balls themselves. Hybrid bearings have ceramic balls that travel in steel races. The inner ring and balls of a partial ceramic bearing are made from ceramic while the outer race is steel. It is uncommon for steel balls to run in a ceramic ring but the opposite is becoming fairly common. Ceramic bearings are growing in popularity because their light weight reduces skidding and centrifugal loading, also minimizing wear to the balls and races. The outer race exerts less force inward against the ceramic ball while the bearing spins, which reduces the friction and resistance. Hybrid ceramic bearings can operate at speeds 20% to 40% higher than conventional bearings. Faster speed translates to less friction, which means that less heat is produced, allowing for a more efficient energy transfer. Ceramic bearings have a lower rate of thermal expansion and are generally more heat resistant than other materials. Because they are less dense and encounter less friction, these bearings often have a longer life than other bearings and are cheaper to produce, making them a cost efficient part. Preloading before use to reduce or eliminate any clearance between the balls and the races ensures that the bearing is performing at its highest speed and load capabilities.